Father’s Day

Father’s Day, this year, was overshadowed by my cousin’s senior recital. She graduated from high school, is involved in the arts, acts in plays, and plays the piano. In addition to her school degree, she got a music degree. I didn’t realize you can test in front of a judge to obtain it. She gave a senior recital and played an impressive program of seven pieces: invention, sonata, mazurka, the whole bit. That’s the first time I’ve gone to a senior recital and I really enjoyed it. As her cousin, I was clenching the chair hoping she wouldn’t choke throughout the whole program. I can only imagine how a parent feels when their kid is performing in front of an audience! What a lovely celebration to be able to give back to your community by showcasing a skill that you’ve been honing since you were a wee one. So much better than the usual graduation party. Bravo to my little cousin Regina. Cannot believe I’m two decades older than her. I am damn old.

I was thinking about this post earlier and realizing something special and unique about my dad; he was always present. In childhood, my reality was always having a parent around. I wasn’t a latch-key kid. My dad picked me up every day after school, after he had worked the graveyard shift. And that’s just how life played out. Not until you’ve lived 35+ years and realize how several of your friends are estranged from their fathers or worse, despise them, that you become oh so grateful for your experience. When I think back on those early years, I’ll always remember my dad cheering me on as I finally learned to balance and ride on my bike and afternoons at our public library branch. Ahh, gone are the days when my biggest worry was finishing homework.

They say that women tend to marry men who are like their fathers. In my case, I couldn’t agree more. My dad and my husband are both youthful, gregarious, friendly, and active. I watch them both play with my nephews and except for the height differential, seems so similar. Hoping for good news on the baby front very soon!

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Welcome to my site, derived from an advice column I wrote while getting my MBA. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area. I give helpful, opinionated advice based on my own experience and from the expertise of my extensive network. For more, click here.